See detailed table of contents for this report in Adobe Acrobat
format. 1997/8 U.S. MSPPSA report on Molecular Diagnostics
200 pages, 149 graphs and tables
Published: September 30, 1997
Price: $2595
This new market research report by PhorTech International provides
surprising details concerning the U.S. market for molecular diagnostics
systems. This first look into this rapidly developing market shows
that the relatively small population of scientists involved have
already made clear choices for their methods, products and suppliers.
Infectious disease researchers, for example, are spending the
vast majority of their purchasing dollars on kits for only 3 diseases.
As far as suppliers, one formidable giant and their small but
extremely successful competitor share two thirds of that market
and stand out from the large crowd beneath them.
The 200 page study, which forms part of PhorTech's MSPPSA series,
breaks down the market in terms of four targeted areas of study
- cancer genes, infectious disease, genetic disease and forensic/identity
testing. In order to adequately reach each of these groups, more
than 5,000 surveys were distributed to scientists affiliated with
some of the leading molecular diagnostics associations and journals.
Nature Genetics subscribers, totaling 1,180 scientists, and the
2,005 members of the clinical microbiology division of the American
Society of Microbiology comprised the two largest sources of respondents.
Also included were all of the members of the Association for Molecular
Pathology and the molecular diagnostics section of the American
Association of Clinical Chemistry. Finally, 1,000 members of the
American Society for Human Genetics were surveyed.
Analyses are performed separately for each type of molecular diagnostics
testing, including demographics, current methods and usage of
the specific tests, and the outlook for the future. In the section
on infectious disease, for instance, the market for thirteen types
of assays is examined, including a wide variety of STD's. The
consumption, both in assays and dollars spent, is quantified,
for each of these tests. The large number of tumor markers, used
for cancer genes, are analyzed simlarly, leading to the determination
of the number of scientists and frequency of use for each marker.
The assays for genetic diseases, for which a huge response was
received, are being performed at a very high rate, on the order
of half a million samples annually.
Respondents are characterized on several demographic levels, beginning
with the type and number of tests performed, their geographic
distribution, laboratory type and position, field of interest,
and the methods for analysis/purification of the target DNA. The
inquiries continued into whether the scientists were working in
research, development or diagnostics. Small differences were seen
for each group, signifying their varying goals and methods of
testing. The analysis contains not only the quantification of
responses, but also respondent's verbatim comments.
Although customers are generally satisfied with the existing infectious
disease tests, significant differences exist in customer's perceptions
of supplier performance. This section examines both product quality
and supplier responsiveness issues including value for money,
consistent quality, speed of delivery, application support and
width of product line. When ranked in terms of these five key
performance benchmarks, the market leader performed extremely
well, unlike many of the smaller suppliers. The enticing reasons
for purchasing a certain brand, given verbatim, may shed some
light as to why.
Suggestions for improvements in each of the various molecular
diagnostics systems, in addition to specific requests for new
products, provide market opportunities for the astute company
wanting to enter or lead this lucrative market. Over 150 graphs
and tables distill the remaining data into a clear and salient
tool for understanding this complex and rapidly changing market.
This report is required reading for suppliers interested in comprehending
the marketing dynamics for this business. Those already involved
in the molecular diagnostics market will be provided with crucial
information for improving present market position, identifying
marketing strengths and weaknesses, and developing a sustainable
competitive advantage.
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